The Story Behind the Song – Rodney Griffin

Posted on June 29, 2012 by

THE SPIRIT OF BROKENNESS
(Written in 1996)

Every writer has a favorite song that they’ve written, and this is mine. No it’s not the fastest, highest or loudest, but it’s my favorite. The reason is simple…I’ll always have a need to be broken. Wherever I am in my relationship to God, I’ll always need to be closer. I’ll never be finished. I’ll always need a little bending here and there. And you know, He won’t do anything with me until I give Him permission. He won’t barge in. He’s a perfect gentlemen. That’s why Rodney Griffin needs to hear this song.

Our group’s favorite evangelist is Bill Stafford, from Chattanooga, Tennessee. His every message seems to come back to one theme…brokenness. And we need to hear it. You see, in the gospel music world, we are constantly being told that we singers, are great, talented and the best of the best. And, if we believe what we hear, we will believe something false about ourselves.

The truth is, we are no different than anyone else. We are simply christians. And every christian has the same struggle, the Spirit versus the flesh. The flesh loves to hear about how good it is. It loves to think that it doesn’t need help from God to attain goodness. And if you were honest, you’d admit that your flesh feels the same way. It does not like to be told what to do, by God or anybody. Therefore, we all could use a little brokenness, whether we make our living on a stage, or on a construction site.

I wrote this song with Gerald in mind to sing it. After hearing so many Bill Stafford sermons on brokenness, I knew there had to be a song here. I finished the chorus and sat on it for six months. I could not get anywhere on the verses. All I knew was that I wanted the song to have the theme of humility all through it. I wanted to open up my heart, and take the listener on a very personal journey of my spiritual walk with God, so I wrote it in the first person. You see, none of us stays on the spiritual mountaintop forever. This walk is oftentimes a struggle. And, it’s a battle that can only be won by one with a humble spirit…a spirit of brokenness.

Click to hear The Spirit of Brokenness

Lyrics…

Verse 1 I remember the night, so long ago The first time I called on your name Empty, and broken, ashamed of my sin I asked if this sinner you’d save But the cares of life, have darkened the light And I feel like I’m drifting away So break me, mold me, cleanse me, then hold me I want to, be near you, today

Chorus Lord, give me The Spirit Of Brokenness Like you gave when I first called your name And replace all my pride, with humility Lord, a broken, willing vessel I’ll be.

Verse 2 I never set out, to drift into sin My intentions are never to stray But my flesh is weak, and I’m so prone to fall Like a child, I go my own way ‘Til I hear your cry, from deep down inside Saying, “Go back, to Calvary again” “There, you’ll see My flesh opened, and my Spirit Broken Then surely, you’re drifting will

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Hook Lines and Singers

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

If you are a writer of songs, you are aware of the term “Hook line”.  It’s an important part of writing successful songs but it’s not always the necessary formula.  We’ll get to that in a moment.

Let’s talk about the coveted “Hook line”.  It’s that part of a song that the rest of the song has had you licking your chops for.  It’s the anticipated moment; the one that makes you say, “Aha!”  Sometimes it’s a word but more often it’s a group of words.

Here’s an example of a very simple but effective hook line that God gave me in a song I wrote about three years ago entitled “Jesus Saves”…

The first verse begins with these words, “If I were to write a song, what would I want to say?”.  That sets the listener up for what it is I want to say and from that point on, they are “hooked”.  When I’ve had the opportunity to sing this song to a congregation, I’ve noticed it’s one that captures their attention and holds onto it because they want to know what it is I would say!  They are waiting for this unbelievable “something” and when I get to the end of the chorus, what I long to tell the world is… “Jesus saves”.  Really what else does the world need to hear??!!  Although it’s a simple message, it doesn’t let the folks down because it reinforces how truly important that message is.

Another song that gets the folks to the edge of their seats and frothing with anticipation is “My Name is Lazarus”.  That one never fails to deliver.  When we sing that line the room lights up!  The story draws them in and the “Hook line delivers”.

For me, personally, the hook line comes in different ways.  Sometimes it’s the idea for the song and therefore the rest of the song is written around it.  At other times it comes to me in the midst of the process.  I wish I could tell you how to come up with a good hook line but the truth is, if you truly are a gifted writer, it’ll come.

I mentioned earlier that the hook line isn’t always the necessary prescription for a successful song.  Not all songs are hinging on “a line”.  Some songs are just meaty all the way through; Thus the old hymns, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, The Love of God and Blessed Assurance.  Those are just a few examples but, nevertheless, they should support my point.

I would advise to you, when you’re writing, just write.  Don’t stress over it.  Like I said, if God has truly blessed you with this gift of writing… The words will come.  God is not short on lyrics.  There are plenty to go around!

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Another Child’s Coming Home

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Often folks will ask what inspired me to write certain songs.  Here’s one that came to me unlike any other song I’ve ever written.

I have the privilege of being hired, nearly on a monthly basis, to go to Asheville and sing BGVs (Background vocals) for my good friends at Crossroads.  I was taking the usual trip from Burlington, NC toward Asheville one morning about 7 years ago when this song came to me.

I’ve shared on an earlier blog different ways that songs make their way to my pen but this one came in a way that had never happened before and has never happened again since.

I had been living a life that was less than pleasing to the Lord.  On the outside you wouldn’t have known it but I knew… God knew.  I was pastoring a church, leading the music, counseling those who were far from God but I was the one who was in need of a word of counsel.

Zephaniah 3:17 says this…

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Just so happens, God had a song He sang over me that day and I just happened to hear it and write it down.  I was in essence a prodigal and the Father was waiting for me in the road.  Maybe you are far from God today and you need to hear this for yourself.  Maybe you have a loved one who has strayed and you need to hear this so that you might have hope that God is very aware of those who walk away.  Read and be blessed.

Another Child’s Coming Home

Verse: Are you tired? Are you worn? Is that road longer than you thought it was before? Turn around, you’ve gone far enough. There’s still room for you to come and stay with us.

Chorus: Kill the fatted calf. Grab the finest robe. Get a ring for my child because he’s coming home.  Get his room prepared because I know he’s tired and when he gets here I know he’ll want to rest a while. And if you need me, I’ll be out in the road… Because another child’s coming home!

Verse: Are you scared? Have you been sad? Has someone told you I would never take you back?  Son you know the truth.  You don’t have to guess.  I’ve been waiting right here for you since the day you left.

Chorus: Kill the fatted calf. Grab the finest robe. Get a ring for my child because he’s coming home.  Get his room prepared because I know he’s tired and when he gets here I know he’ll want to rest a while. And if you need me, I’ll be out in the road… Because another child’s coming home!

Bridge: Don’t be mad at him!  No need to say a word.  He’s sorry for his sin, his lesson has been learned.  I love you all the same, in your heart you know that’s true.  If it were you out in the rain I would be waiting for you. So Go…

Chorus: Kill the fatted calf. Grab the finest robe. Get a ring for my child because he’s coming home.  Get his room prepared because I know he’s tired and when he gets here I know he’ll want to rest a while. And if you need me, I’ll be out in the road… Because another child’s coming home!

Watch this song performed at the Song of a Lifetime showcase at the NQC last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8bovfnmwwk

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Is The Well Running Dry?

Posted on June 26, 2012 by

We’ve all experienced it… The dreaded dry spell!  It’s a writer’s worse nightmare but I have good news… It doesn’t have to be.

I can only speak for myself but I’ve only seemed to go dry when I was desperately wanting to write a song.  It’s much like when I’m on stage singing a song that I’ve sung more times than I count and I begin thinking about that verse coming my way.  The only time I ever forget words, ironically, is when I try to remember them.  If I just relax and sing the song as it comes, I don’t generally have any trouble.  It’s just when I over think it.  Writer’s block, I believe, is much the same.

Contrary to what you might believe, a hiatus from writing is not always a bad thing.  As much as I love to write music, I’m not doing it all of the time.  I am of the opinion that, if you never take a break from writing, you’ll eventually fall into a rut.  Your melodies will begin to sound similar, your lyrics will become shallow and you will become frustrated.  Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re quitting!  Consider it a reboot.

Start reading God’s word just for the sake of growing from it.  Too often, songwriters are guilty of approaching God’s word with an agenda in mind.  We read with the hopes of finding an idea for the next big song.  If reading the Bible is only done with hopes of being artistically inspired, you can rest assured a dry spell will be the result.  This is not to say that we shouldn’t use the word to make sure our songs are theologically and doctrinally sound but it should not only be considered our source for fresh ideas.

Don’t let a dry spell defeat you.  They don’t last forever.  If your well is running dry, consider it an opportunity to go personally deeper with the Lord.  Allow Him to minister to you through His word.  The songs will begin to flow again when He’s ready for them to!

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Do You Have a Match?

Posted on June 25, 2012 by

One might ask the question, “What’s more important, the lyric or the music?”, to which I would reply each one desperately depends on the other to make a song effective.

You might have, what could be considered, the deepest, most beautiful and moving lyric ever written but unless you marry that lyric with music that enhances it, you’ll have an unsuccesful song.

For instance, if you are writing about the crucifixion it shouldn’t be written to a tune that is upbeat and jovial.  The crucifixion is a subject that should make all of us reverently ponder on what the Lord Jesus painfully and shamefully endured that we might enjoy a relationship with God.  A wonderful example of how it should be written is in the song We Shall See Jesus written by Diane Wilkinson as recorded by the Cathedrals.  the music supports the lyric from the first “Once on a hillside” to the last “Just as He is”.  The second verse deals with the crucifixion and the music changes from major to minor to highlight the fact that it was a sad scene to behold.

Another great example of lyric and music working together is He’d Still Been God written by my friend, Rodney Griffin.  The lyrics “Even if He’d never come and done a single miracle” wouldn’t work as a ballad or a country swing.  It needs to be fast.  Every night when we sing it, those lyrics draw a smile to faces in the crowd.  Why?  Because the music supports the lyric.

I’ve heard many songs that just don’t work simply because the theme and the melody don’t add up.  I’m not going to call any of those out but you need to know that great lyrics and great music do not a great song create!  The great lyrics and the great music have to be great together if the song is going to stand the test of time.

What are some songs that you believe are examples of a great lyrical and musical marriage?

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A Look Inside With Jim Brady

Posted on June 22, 2012 by

I grew up, traveling the road, singing with my family. Dad was an evangelist and would preach in revivals while Mom, my brothers, my sisters and I provided the special music.

I remember some of the sweet folks in those services seemed absolutely worn out from what the day had handed to them and as we sang, I saw their faces light up when a lyric touched their hearts. Even then, as a young boy, I began to understand and love great songs.

Bill & Gloria Gaither, Squire Parsons, Mosie Lister and Dottie Rambo were some of my favorites. They were my heroes and even though I had never met them, I felt as though I knew them, because their songs truly spoke to my soul.

I think having the privilege of singing songs from the pen of those great writers set an internal bar for me to strive for as a writer. I realize that the reason their songs worked so well then, and are still being used today, is simple. They are well written, hope-giving songs, which is why they’ve lasted through the years.

When writing these days, it’s not just about finding a fun tempo, a cool musical groove or a catchy hook, I’m trying to dig a little deeper and find words that offer hope to those who are needing encouragement.

I recently had someone compliment one of my songs saying, “That’s a great song!” As I thanked them, I immediately thought to myself “If someone is still singing it, fifty years from now, and still being blessed by it, then maybe it was a great song.”

It takes a lot of work to write well and I respect the detail it takes to skillfully craft meaningful lyrics with beautiful melodies.

Each night I’m on stage, I continue to watch well crafted lyrics move hearts and continue to be amazed at the power of a great song!

Thanks to my friend, Jim Brady for a peek inside his world as a writer!

Do you have questions or comments for Jim? Leave them in the comment section below!

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Where Do the Ideas Come From?

Posted on June 21, 2012 by

Quite often I get this question… “Where do the ideas for your songs come from?”  The truth is, there’s not one single answer for that question.  The songs I write come to me in a variety of different ways.  One piece of advice I would give to anybody who is or longs to be a songwriter would be, ALWAYS keep your eyes and ears opened.  You never know when someone is going to say something or something is going to occur that will spawn an idea for a song.

With that said, there are several different avenues God uses to send songs my way.  This may not ring true for every songwriter but, I’m sure, there will be some of you who relate.  Maybe the list I’m fixing to share with you will be something from which you can benefit.

  • Life circumstances – Often I write out of situations that I’ve experienced.  I write out of my joy and out of my pain.  These songs are powerful because they provide a lyric with which people can relate.  We’ve all been through the gamut of emotions and it’s likely, when one of these songs is performed, someone is present who has gone through the exact same situation.  Another Child’s Coming Home, on our newest CD, came to me because I wasn’t where I should have been in regards to my walk with the Lord.  Never be afraid to share your life experiences in song, no matter how painful they might be.
  • Necessity – This is an avenue that doesn’t produce as many songs as others.  Nevertheless, sometimes I write songs simply because it’s a type of song that is needed for a particular reason.  When we’re going into the studio to record, we try to choose music that covers a broad range of tempo and content.  Gerald might mention a certain groove he’s looking for and it will cause me to go to the drawing board.  On our last project, “The Only Way”, the song Eternity is About to Begin was written out of such a need.
  • Outside Inspiration – I’d say millions of songs have been written because the writer was inspired by something someone else said.  You ought to be listening to and taking notes on your preacher’s messages every time he gets up to deliver a sermon but, if you’re not, it’s un-telling how many songs have slipped by without you noticing!  A song I wrote entitled, My Guilt is No Match For God’s Grace was born because I heard a preacher say it.  As I said before… Keep your eyes and ears opened!!!

There are three examples of how songs find their way to my pen.  I hope it sheds some light on how you might go about thinking when it comes to crafting a song.

Is there something you can share with us about where you find inspiration for the songs you write?  Please share!

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